So far this year, we have had some great achievements and opportunities for ‘team white’.
Rachael Stebbings and Eloise Fox umpired the curtain raiser between the 17U and 19U State Teams at the Derwent Entertainment Centre in Hobart when the Magpies and GIANTS had a pre-season practice match. Eloise, also then had the opportunity to reserve umpire the closed practice match between the two SSN sides the following day.
All five A-Badged umpires, plus IUA accredited umpire Josh Bowring were given the opportunity to umpire in the Tasmanian Netball Invitational Series (TNIS). The series of friendlies allowed our local umpires to test their skills amongst international teams in Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the Collingwood Magpies and Tasmanian Magpies. The state’s current A-Badged umpires are: Eloise Fox, Rachael Stebbings, Ruth Davies, Leah Turnbull and James Adams (did not umpire due to injury). Josh umpired during the TNIS as final preparations before heading off to the Commonwealth Games and said he was particularly pleased the local A badged umpires could be in control of these matches, allowing them to test their own skills amongst some competitive and challenging netball.
After umpiring at his second Commonwealth Games, Josh just last week took to the court for the 2018 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) league, and umpired the blockbuster ‘battle’ match between Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood Magpies in round 1. Josh will continue to umpire throughout the SSN season and dependent on performance might be lining up for the SSN grand final again this year.
Tasmania had two umpire representatives at the National Championships in Adelaide late in April. Rachael Stebbings attended her sixth Nationals, whilst 17 year old Eloise Fox attended her first. Eloise said she was going in not quite knowing what to expect.
“I knew there would be an amazing pool of umpires, but in regards to the games I was unaware with what I would be faced with. I had amazing support from Rachael throughout the tournament and although not there, Josh had also supported the both of us through the week “
“It was a great experience meeting such high level umpires from all over the country, some who were also experiencing their first time at nationals and others who had been through the pathway previously”
“It was amazing to work with such high level umpire coaches. Their knowledge and support was invaluable. After each game, we all had meetings with one of the four umpire coaches in order to reflect on our game and prepare for the next one”
“The tournament was supported well by Netball Australia. It is great to have a pathway for high performing umpires in such a professional and supportive environment” Eloise said.
Both Rachael and Eloise umpired 5 matches throughout the week, as well as being reserve for some games.
Umpire coach Annette Smith said Rachael was a pleasure to work with, taking on board the feedback that she was given and working on applying it. It was a consistent performance over the Championship.
“Eloise was at her first National Championship. This is a very different environment and Eloise worked hard to read and adjust to the different styles of play that she was exposed to. It was a great learning experience which will benefit her on her umpiring journey” said Smith.
The RACTI Tasmanian Netball League is well and truly underway, with 27 C-Badged umpires or higher officiating the matches each week.
Netball Tasmania Umpire Development Facilitators, John Fox and Marj Kerslake have been busy out and about among the associations running Umpire Education Sessions. These courses were run free of charge to the participants and have seen over 200 people in attendance.
If you would like more information on umpiring or to have a Netball Tasmania Umpire Development Facilitator visit your association, please contact Joanne Marsh on 6282 1825 or joanne.marsh@tasnetball.org.au
